Issue & Renew Iqama for Domestic Workers & Family Members on Absher

Absher has expanded its services to allow sponsors to issue and renew domestic worker iqama online — including a new flexible 3-month option. This is a significant change for households employing domestic workers (maids, drivers, nannies) in Saudi Arabia.

Source: @Absher — Tweet, 44K views

This service also covers family members (dependents) — sponsors can issue a Resident ID (iqama) for spouse, children, or other dependents through the same Absher platform.

What’s new

Previously, domestic worker iqama could only be renewed for 12 months. Now Absher offers:

• 3-month iqama — ideal for short-term employment
• 6-month iqama — medium-term option
• 12-month iqama — standard annual renewal

This flexibility helps sponsors who:

• Hire domestic workers for seasonal needs
• Want to test a new worker before committing to a full year
• Need temporary help during specific periods

Who can use this service?

• Sponsors (individuals or companies) with domestic workers on their iqama
• Workers in categories: domestic workers, personal drivers, nannies, cooks
• The sponsor’s iqama must be valid
• The worker must be registered in the Absher system

Step-by-step: How to issue/renew domestic worker iqama

Step 1: Login to Absher

Go to absher.sa or use the Absher app

Step 2: Navigate to Family Members

• Go to “My Services” → “Family Members” or “Domestic Workers”

Step 3: Select the worker

Choose the domestic worker you want to issue/renew iqama for

Step 4: Choose duration

Select from:

• 3 months — shorter commitment
• 6 months — medium-term
• 12 months — standard annual

Step 5: Pay fees

• 3-month iqama: Approximately SAR 300-400
• 6-month iqama: Approximately SAR 400-500
• 12-month iqama: Approximately SAR 650

Fees include: iqama fee + insurance + platform fee

Step 6: Confirm and process

• Review all details
• Confirm the transaction
• Iqama is issued digitally

Important notes

• Insurance required: The worker must have active health insurance before iqama can be issued
• Biometric registration: Workers aged 6+ must have biometrics registered
• Passport validity: Worker’s passport must have at least 6 months validity
• Sponsor’s iqama: Must be valid for the duration being issued

Cost comparison

Tip: Manage all domestic worker expenses — iqama fees, insurance, salary — in one place with SNB Neo. Set up automatic payments and track renewals.

Issuing Resident ID for Family Members (Dependents) via Absher

Sponsors can also issue a Resident ID (Iqama) for family members (spouse, children, or other dependents) directly through Absher. Following Jawazat’s awareness reminder:

Sep 2026: @AljawazatKSA confirmed that sponsors can issue a Resident ID for their family member or domestic worker easily in a few simple steps via Absher, as part of the ongoing #PassportsAtYourService campaign. (Source: @AljawazatKSA, 7,556 views)

Absher navigation for family members:

1. Login to Absher Individuals (absher.sa or the app)
2. Go to My Services → Family Members (or Dependents)
3. Select the family member you want to issue a Resident ID for
4. Follow the prompts to upload required documents and pay fees
5. The iqama is issued digitally

Required documents:

• Dependent’s passport with at least 6 months validity remaining
• Sponsor’s valid iqama
• Active health insurance covering the dependent (mandatory since July 2026)
• Passport photos

Fees:

• Dependent Iqama Fee: SAR 1,200–4,800 per year (varies by dependent type and sponsor’s Nitaqat category)
• Payment can be split into quarterly installments under the 2026 reforms

Important note: Family member (dependent) iqamas are typically issued for 12 months — unlike domestic workers, the flexible 3-month and 6-month options are not available for dependents. Duration aligns with the sponsor’s iqama validity. Always verify the latest fees and requirements on Absher or with Jawazat before proceeding.

📖 Full guide: Health Insurance for Dependent Iqama Renewal

Related guides

• Transfer Domestic Worker Sponsorship After Death
• Domestic Worker Exit After Sponsor Death
• Health Insurance for Dependent Iqama
• Absher Complete Guide
• Biometric Registration for Children

References

1. @Absher — Domestic worker iqama issuance/renewal — Twitter (July 2026)
2. @AljawazatKSA — Resident ID for family members/domestic workers via Absher — Twitter (September 2026)
3. Absher — Family member services — absher.sa

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Fees and procedures may change. Always verify with Absher or Jawazat.